Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025 features two Indian restaurants

Two Indian restaurants have made it to Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025 list, announced on 25 March at a glittering ceremony in Seoul, South Korea. Mumbai’s Masque bagged the 19th spot and was also crowned Best Restaurant in India 2025. Meanwhile, New Delhi’s Indian Accent, the only other Indian entry, secured the 46th position. Bangkok and Tokyo dominated the list, with an impressive nine entries each.

Indian Accent, New Delhi – Ranked #46 on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025

Indian Accent has long been a crowd-pleaser, blending creative modern dishes with warm hospitality. Year after year, its inventive tasting menus reimagine the classics of the Indian subcontinent with a fresh twist. A must-try? The meetha achaar pork ribs – a delightful balance of sweet and sour, served with green apple and mango pickle sauce. Another standout is the house-made tikka chaat, featuring a khakhra mille-feuille and a bell pepper mayo. While the full tasting menu is an experience in itself, there’s also a vegetarian version, a four-course lunch, and a well-curated à la carte selection.

Big changes are underway at Indian Accent, with long-time head chef Manish Mehrotra stepping down in 2024. Taking over the reins is executive chef Shantanu Mehrotra (no relation!), who has been part of Old World Hospitality since 1999, working across some of its most iconic establishments, from Delhi ‘O’ Delhi to Chor Bizarre.

Address: The Lodhi, Lodhi Road, New Delhi, 110003

Masque, Mumbai – Ranked #19 on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025

Masque, spearheaded by Aditi Dugar, is an innovative Mumbai hotspot that puts the spotlight on India’s incredible local produce. Housed in a stylishly revamped textile mill, Masque offers a meticulously crafted 15-course tasting menu that celebrates seasonal ingredients in the most inventive ways. Expect dishes like prickly pear with nagphani (hawthorn) and coconut malai, or smoked pork with Kashmiri chilli and poha (spiced flattened rice). If you’re after something truly special, the dosa with koji and the burnt ghee with saffron and pear toast are absolute must-tries.

Head chef Varun Totlani, who worked his way up from commis chef to the top spot, has been leading the kitchen since 2022. His love for the grill shines through in the menu, which is all about showcasing India’s rich culinary diversity.

Adding another feather to its cap, Masque opened The Masque Lab in 2020 – an R&D space where the team experiments with ageing ingredients, contrasting flavours, and new ways to bridge food cultures. With just 12 seats around an open kitchen, the lab hosts exclusive experimental dinners, giving diners a glimpse into the future of Masque’s gastronomic journey.

Address: NIT G3, Laxmi Woollen Mill, Shakti Mills Lane, Off Dr. E. Moses Road, Mahalaxmi, Mumbai 400011

Both Masque and Indian Accent continue to push the boundaries of Indian cuisine on the global stage, and if you haven’t tried them yet, it’s about time you did!